WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: The story is WSU

the staff of Cougfan.com

10/24/2010

IN A GAME where the No. 12 team in the nation wins by double digits, you would think the focus would be on that No. 12 ranked team. Not so, says one of the media members sounding off on the WSU–Stanford game. Here's a look at what they're saying, from San Francisco to Spokane and beyond.

But here's the bottom line: Bill Moos, the dynamic athletic director, needs to make a bold statement soon and end any speculation on whether Wulff will return in 2011. Just say it's going to happen. – Bud Witthers, Seattle Times

Washington State is going to embarrass somebody this year. And Cougars fans surely are starting to sense that the program is turning around in year three under Paul Wulff. – Ted Miller, ESPN

But after the interception on the first possession, and subsequent field goal, never had you feeling WSU could win it, either. Maybe that's because it's obvious this team isn't ready to roar all the way back against a really good team, because the defense will struggle to get stops and earn possessions. – Vince Grippi, Spokesman-Review

The thrilling win over USC two weeks ago was suitable for framing in the main exhibit hall. Stanford's victory over Washington State on Saturday might be posted on a rear wall back by the restrooms. – Tom Fitzgerald, SF Chronicle

Just think if the No. 12 Cardinal had botched its Pacific-10 Conference game against lowly Washington State after two weeks to prepare for it. It didn't come to that on a crisp fall day as Stanford held on for a 38-28 victory..But this one won't impress the pollsters. It certainly didn't excite coach Jim Harbaugh, who said, "At times, it looked atrocious." – Elliot Almond, Mercury News

The special teams were pretty near perfect, especially Reid Forrest's punting – the senior averaged 57.3 on his punts, with height and hang time as well, impressing the six NFL scouts in attendance I'm sure – though the kickoff returns weren't as well blocked as they have been recently. – Vince Grippi, Spokesman-Review

In a sign of how far Stanford has come since coach Jim Harbaugh arrived four years ago, a conference win that made the Cardinal bowl eligible was viewed with more disappointment than elation. – CBSSports.com

Washington State wasn't able to come up with the conference win Saturday, but there is no question they are getting closer to achieving that goal each week. – Lew Wright, Examiner

I can't remember worse collective fan support for the locals..Stanford announced 36,679 for Homecoming, which was hugely misleading. I'm not sure the 50,000-seat stadium was even half full — and the head coach noticed. "Our fans didn't even bother coming to the game today," Jim Harbaugh said. Note: The Cardinal's official attendance figures are based on tickets distributed (and remember, some of the tickets are distributed for free). As a result, its announced crowds often grossly overstate the turnstile count. – Jon Wilner, Mercury News